25 years ago today (24th February) arguably marks the end of the beginning of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway we now enjoy. For it was on that day that purchase of 15 miles of vacant track bed, associated land and remaining buildings between a point south of Cheltenham Racecourse and just north of Broadway - along with two tunnels, more than 80 assorted bridges and culverts, a viaduct, an aqueduct and an awful lot of undergrowth and rabbits - was completed.

The embryonic GWR had already taken out a lease on the yard at Toddington station from 30th May 1981, when Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway Plc was formed.  This company emerged from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Society (later Trust) which held its first public meeting at Willersey on 18th August 1976.

As soon as the lease at Toddington had been taken, track laying started and the first items of rolling stock and locomotives arrived (including Cotswold Steam Preservation's Chruchward 2-8-0 no. 2807, which arrived from Barry scrap yard and is now nearing completion of its restoration). But completion of purchase of the track bed paved the way for reopening of the first 700 yards of track on 22nd April 1984: which is why the GWR is offering anyone aged 25 or under the opportunity to claim a free ticket, provided they are accompanied by a fare paying passenger of any age!

For more on the GWR's history, you can explore our Chronology.